The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1887-05-14

Gardening for May.-Asparagus for family
use is better cut at the surface of the ground The
white stalks sell better in market but are only
wasted for family use, the white or blanched part
being unpalatable when cooked. Cutting should
be discontinued the first of June to give the plants
chance to recuperate for next seasons growth.
Lima beans should not be planted until the sea-
son is warm, they the most tender of all our
vegetables except perhaps egg plants. If the SOIL
is low or wet make quite hill around the pole
this to keep the hill warm and dry. 1t is better
to put your poles in rst four feet apart each way,
then make hill with shovelful of well rotted
manure and plant five or six beans to the hill
When they are well up and beginning to run, thin
to two or three vines
Beets, carrots and parsnips ought to be large
enough to thin out. Where only a small quantity
are planted I find the best plan is to give two
trimmings. The first time leave them about two
inches apart, then, after they growing and well
established, thin to four or six inches apart. The
right way to do is to get right down ON your
knees, astride of the rows, and with both hands go
down the row, thinning out where necessary. In
this operation the thumb plays an important part
By doing this way those who have not tried it will
be surprised to find how quickly it may be done
after little practice.
Soup beans may now DO planted Make rows
two feet apart and drop the seed in the row two or
three inches apart.
out until the latter part of June first of July
If planted too early the heads are apt to burst or
be too far advanced to keep we'll but for summer
and fall use they may be planted from now until
June.
Cucumbers do best in warm, light soil. They
may be sown now in hills three or four feet apart
each way, shovelful of manure to the hill. Put
in plenty of seed SO to have some extra for the
bugs to eat.
Celery, which should be up nicely by this time,
needs careful attention. Keep your seed bed free
from weeds and don't let the plants stand too thick,
although they are too small yet to thin.
Sugar corn should be planted now. Sow early,
medium and late varieties at same time, and SOW
late varieties every two weeks until middle of June
for succession. I say late varieties because the
early varieties not fine and large as the later
kinds.
If you have pot herbs in your garden you will
find it better to sow seed about every two years
for sage and thyme, and every season for sweet
marjoram. As this latter is a tender plant and
will not live through the winter, therefore must
raise the plants each year. Select a damp spot
and SOW seed thickly in rows about one foot apart
and water if season is dry. Keep free from weeds
and you will have nice plants to set out in July,
which will give you plenty of herbs for fall and
winter use.
Lettuce may be planted for succession.
Melons should be treated as cucumbers, except
ing the canteleupe should be in hills by 3 feet
apart and the watermelon hills should be 10 feet
apart each way.
Onion sets should be kept free from weeds
Weed them as recommended for beets, &C., loosen
ing the earth between the plants in the row with
thum and fingers. Onions will not make a good
growth unless we'll attended to. Remember this
next year and don't plant in corners of the garden
where you can't get at them to work them.
Peas will do very we'll without sticks, but if you
wish to stick them good plan is to put stakes in
about twenty feet apart down the row and stretch
three strands of Irvine or fodder yarn from them.
This is done quickly and will answer quite well.
Better not set out tomato plants until the mid
die of the month. Frost is apt to come before that
time but seldom after.
Watch your currant bushes for the worms
White helbore is specific for them. Dust it on
the leaves while the dew is on them.
Level culture is the best for both potatoes and
corn.
These hints are not all original but have been
practiced by me and found serviceable and may
suit some who are not already too proficient
j. NJ.